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OregonSB 11612025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Relating to organ transport vehicles; and prescribing an effective date.

Sponsored By: Deb Patterson (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Mobile-device defense for organ transport drivers

Organ transport drivers prosecuted for using a mobile device while driving have a legal defense for driving within their job duties. This is a defense they must establish, not a blanket exemption from distracted-driving law. It does not cover driving outside the scope of employment.

Drivers and pedestrians must yield organs passage

Drivers encountering an organ transport vehicle using required visual or audible signals must pull right, clear intersections, and stop until it passes. Following a police officer’s directions is an exception. Drivers cannot follow within 500 feet of an organ transport vehicle responding to a fire alarm or emergency. Driving or parking in a way that interferes with it is also prohibited. These driver violations are Class B traffic violations; statutory emergency-driver exemptions also cover organ transport drivers. Pedestrians must yield to approaching organ transport vehicles using required signals or face a Class D traffic violation. Vehicle drivers still must use due care.

New safeguards for organ transport vehicles

Beginning January 1, 2027, organ procurement organizations must obtain Oregon Health Authority licenses for their organ transport vehicles. Vehicles must be clearly marked on all sides. Organizations must show $5 million in general liability coverage, $5 million in auto coverage, and a $2 million umbrella policy. The authority sets license and renewal fees and requirements. Drivers must work for or contract with a licensed organization and be at least 25. They must be current, former, or retired police officers, firefighters, or emergency medical services providers. They need five years of emergency driving experience in official police, fire, or ambulance vehicles and a valid license. They cannot have more than one driving offense in any three-year period, excluding parking violations. Drivers must pass approved emergency-vehicle and defensive-driving courses and meet additional agency requirements, including applicable criminal checks. Organizations may require fingerprints for those checks. These licensing, insurance, and driver standards add public safety protections. Local ordinances cannot fall below state standards and must follow applicable county ambulance plans and agency rules.

Special lighting and sound rules for organ vehicles

Organ transport vehicles follow specialized lighting and warning-light standards instead of the listed general vehicle-lighting rules. They may use federally approved flashing headlights as emergency lights. They are exempt from certain general restrictions on bells, sirens, whistles, horns, and warning sounds. They still must follow the specialized siren and audible-signal rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Deb Patterson

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Cyrus Javadi

    Democratic • House

  • Dacia Grayber

    Democratic • House

  • Ed Diehl

    Republican • House

  • Kevin Mannix

    Republican • House

  • Lesly Muñoz

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Reynolds

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 98 • No: 1

House vote • 5/27/2025

Third reading. Carried by Nelson. Passed.

Yes: 55 • No: 1

House vote • 5/15/2025

Behavioral Health and Health Care: Heard and Reported Out

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/28/2025

Third reading. Carried by Patterson. Passed.

Yes: 29 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/8/2025

Health Care: Heard and Reported Out with Amendments

Yes: 5 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

    6/11/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 278, 2025 Laws.

    6/11/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    6/5/2025Senate

  4. Speaker signed.

    5/29/2025House

  5. President signed.

    5/28/2025Senate

  6. Third reading. Carried by Nelson. Passed.

    5/27/2025House

  7. Rules suspended. Carried over to May 27, 2025 Calendar.

    5/22/2025House

  8. Second reading.

    5/21/2025House

  9. Recommendation: Do pass.

    5/20/2025House

  10. Work Session held.

    5/15/2025House

  11. Public Hearing held.

    5/13/2025House

  12. Referred to Behavioral Health and Health Care.

    4/29/2025House

  13. First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

    4/29/2025House

  14. Third reading. Carried by Patterson. Passed.

    4/28/2025Senate

  15. Carried over to 04-28 by unanimous consent.

    4/24/2025Senate

  16. Carried over to 04-24 by unanimous consent.

    4/23/2025Senate

  17. Carried over to 04-23 by unanimous consent.

    4/22/2025Senate

  18. Second reading.

    4/21/2025Senate

  19. Subsequent referral rescinded by order of the President.

    4/18/2025Senate

  20. Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and subsequent referral to Ways and Means be rescinded. (Printed A-Eng.)

    4/18/2025Senate

  21. Work Session held.

    4/8/2025Senate

  22. Public Hearing held.

    3/25/2025Senate

  23. Referred to Health Care, then Ways and Means.

    3/3/2025Senate

  24. Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.

    2/27/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • SHC Amendment -1 (Adopted)

    4/8/2025

    PDF

  • A-Engrossed

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • Senate Amendments to Introduced

    PDF

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